Fishing reel and handle combination



June 25, 1963 c. LoulsoN 3,095,158

FISHING REEL AND HANDLE COMBINATION Filed Feb. l, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 1June 25, 1963 c. LoulsoN 3,095,158

FISHING REEL. AND HANDLE COMBINATION Filed Feb. 1, 1961 4 sheets-sheet 2I l Il June 25, 1.963 c. LoulsoN 3,095,158

FISHING REEL ANDANDLE COMBINATION Filed Feb. l, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 3June 25, 1963 c. LoursoN 3,095,158

FISHING REEL AND HANDLE COMBINATION Filed Feb. l. 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4United States Patent E ice 3,095,158 Patented June 25, 1963 3,095,158FISHING REEL AND HANDLE COMBINATION Claude Louison, Rue de Cotatay, LeChambon- Feugerolles, Loire, France Filed Feb. 1, 1961, Ser. No. 86,383Claims priority, application France Feb. 11, 1960 4 Claims. (Cl.242-8421) Ihe present invention relates to handle and reel combinations.

Handle and reel combinations are known for use with casting rods ybutare usually complicated, expensive to manufacture and their operationusually necessitates the use of both hands.

An object of the invention is to provide -a handle Iand -reelcombination which substantially overcomes the above disadvantages.

It -is a further object of the invention to -provide a handle `and reelcombination yin which control of the reel is possible with the use ofonly one hand.

According to the present invention there is provided a handle and reelcombination comprising a tubular handle in which is disposed a hollowshaft which is adapted for rotation. A spindle is supported within thehollow shaft for movement axially of the shaft. A drum is coupled to theshaft for rotation therewith. There is further provided a Winding-up rodsupported on the drum and pivotable relative to said drum. There isadditionally provided means frictionally connecting `a spool to thespindle for axial movement therewith. A crank mechanism is provided forrotating the shaft and reciprocating the handle, and in furtheraccordance with the invention there is providedrcontrol means in thehandle for pivotably moving the winding-up rod between operative andfree-line positions. The crank mechanism is adapted for rotatablydriving the shaft, drum and winding-up rod, while reciprocating thespindle to cause winding of line on the spool when the winding-up rod isin the operative position. The control means is operative to pivotallymove the winding-up rod to a free-line position whereat -line `can beunwound from the spool without contacting the winding-up rod. 'Ihecontrol means comprises a push-button, a bell-crank lever in contactwith the push-button and movable thereby, a ring engaged by the bellcrank lever Vand movable thereby, a slideable rod secured to the ring, athrust disc and springs between the thrust disc and ring. A contactplate is located adjacent the thrust disc, the latter in turn beingsecured to said rod for being displaced therewith to engage said contactplate with the button pressed, land means pivotally supported from thecontact plate and coupled to the winding-up rod for moving thewinding-up rod between the operative and free-line positions.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same maybe carried into elect, reference will now be made, by way of example, tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevation in section of a handle and reel according tothe invention,

FIGURE 2 is an end elevation taken in the direction of arrows 2 2 ofFIGURE 1,

FIGURE 3 is -a sectional view taken along the line 3 3 of FIGURE l,

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4 4 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 5 is a plan View of the handle and reel illustrated in FIGURES 1to 4,

FIGURE 6 is a view taken valong the -line 6 6 of FIGURE 5 illustratingthe Aforward end of the handle parts of which -are shown in section,

FIGURE 7 is an elevation in section showing an lalternative yarrangementof a handle and reel according to the invention,

FIGURE 8 is an end elevation taken in the direction of arrows 8 8 ofFIGURE 7,

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9 9 of FIGURE 7, and

FIGURE 10 is -a side elevational view partly in section of the handleand reel and seen `at right Vangles to that illustrated in FIGURE 7.

Referring to the drawings, FIGURES l to 6 show a handle and reelcombination comprising a cylindrical tubul-ar member 1 which constitutesthe handle proper. Alternatively, the handle 1 may be of other thancylindrical shape. Each end of t-he handle 1 has disposed therein abearing, the forward end being provided with a bearing element 2 mounted-in a known manner in the handle 1 and, the rearward end being providedwith a bearing element 31 which is secured to a casing 3 in which ismounted a crank entrainment mechanism.

The forward end of the handle 1 is surrounded with a ferrule 4 with alateral prolongation 41. A bearing element 42 is secured to the ferrule4 laterally thereof, and a rod 5 is supported in the bearing element 42.The ferrule 4 is secured on to the tubular end of the handle 1 in aknown manner such as for example by screws.

Coaxially mounted in the handle 1 is a hollow cylindrical shaft 6through which `a spindle 7 passes, the said spindle 7 having Ia xedangular position, while being able to slide freely axially in the shaft6. Balls, rolle-r or other lbearings (not shown for the sake ofsimplicity) may be mounted between the shaft 6 and respective bearingelements 2 and 31.

The forward end of the spindle 7 supports a spool 8. The spool 8 issecu-red to the said spindle by -fn'ctional connecting means constitutedby la Washer 9 disposed on the spindle 7 on one side of the spool, and anut 10 on the other side of the spool. The nut is threadably engagedwith the spindle 7, and by adjusting the position of nut 10 on thespindle, the degree of force securing the spool to the spindle may alsobe adjusted. Under the :effect of a large unwinding force exerted on theline (for example when -a catch exerts an excessive pull), the spool 8is able to rotate frictionally on the spindle 7. To permit this, aresilient washer 11 is interposed with 4a press lit between the spooland the nut 10. The degree of friction is adjusted in accordance withthe degree of compression of the washer 11. The 'angler is made lawareof frictional rotation of the spool and thereby of the considerableforce exerted on the line, for example by means of -a click system orother audible means of known type comprising a toothed wheel 12 fastwith the spindle 7 and a resilient blade or rod 13 secured laterallyagainst the spool 8 and one of the ends of which cooperates with theteeth of the wheel 12.

The hollow shaft 6 has a shouldered Ibearing surface forwardly of theferrule 4. A hollow cylindrical drum 14 is locked, for example by meansof a nut 15, against the said bearing surface so that it is rotatablewith the shaft 6. The drum 14 surrounds the spool 8.

trated in FIGURE "l VMounted about the drum 14 is the line-windingm'ember consisting of a rod 16 lwhich is of circular cross-section andhas a generally semi-circular shape. 'Ilhis rod 16 may be formed orshaped in any suitable manner so as to ensure the satisfactoryentrainment of the line f. The ends of the rod 16 are pivotally mountedat 161 `and 162 on the drum 14 so that the said rod 16 can be pivotedIabout an axis passing through 161 and 162. The rod 16 is commonly knownunder the name of bail or pick- V.llrl

Rod 16 lis capable of occupying two positions, as illus- The first is awinding-up-position (shown in solid lines) -in which the spool isrotatable relative to the shaft and drum only upon application of aforce -to the spool of sufficient magnitude to overcome the resistance'to rotation -aiforded by the f-rictional connecting means constitutedby the washer 9 and the nut 10. 'I'he vsecond position of the rod 16 isa withdrawn position freeing the line (shown in broken lines) in whichthe1winding-up rod-16 is disposed out of contact with the line f so thatthe latter can unwind freely from the stationaryspool 8.

The handle 1 is provided with a mechanical control device actuated by apush button 17 retained and mounted 'for sliding movement Vinra mounting18 secured on the yhandle 1. 'Ihe latter is open at 11 to permit thepassage of 'the push button 17 and to allow it to co-operate with a'bellcrarik lever 19 pivotable at 191 about an inner prolongation of themounting 18. The arm 163 of the lever V19 -is-in the form'of a two'pronged fork, the prongs being Ydisposed-on either side ofthe shaft 6,their -free ends contacting a ring 20'which `is adapted to slidelongitudinally I'on'the shaft '6 when the button 17 is pressed. Rods 21,which are two -or more in number, 4are secured to the 4ring 20. 'Ilheserods fare freely slidablethrough the bearing element 2 and theferrule-4. 'Ihe ends of the rods 21 project beyond the bearing 2 and thefer-rule 4 and are 'secured to a thrust disc 22. Springs 23 yare mountedabout Jthe rods 21 and are interposed between the bearing element 2 andthefring V20. Springs 23 urge the disc 22 against the ferrule 4, andmove the ring 20 rearwardly away from the drum 14, to cause pivoting ofthe lever 119 and raising ofthe push button 17 subsequent to release ofthe push button after displacement thereof.

A contact plate 24 is mounted between the drum 14 and the disc 22, about'the shaft 6, Iand the plate 24 is adapted to slide longitudinally onthe said shaft. Secured to the plate 24 are rods '25 which are a't leasttwo in number, and Yeach of which is provided with a shoulder 251Aadapted to slide within peripheral perforated bosses 141 inthe drum 14.The said bosses 141 are closed at ltheir free ends, for example, bymeans of screws 26. Springs 27 are disposed vbetween the .screws 26 andthe shoulders251 so as tour-ge the 'rods 25 and the plate 24 'toa'position wherein the said plate is in the immediate proximity of thethrust disc 22.

As illustrated in FIGURES and 6, one end of a link 28 is pivotallyconnected lat 281, for example, .tothe periphery ofthe plate 24. 'Ilheother end of the link 28 is pivotally connected at 282 to a short lever29 which in turn is secured to the rod 16 lat 161 and which lever 29 4iscapable of-turning the rod 16 around an axis passing through 161 and161.

This makes it possible by depressing the push button 17, to pivot thewinding-up rod 16 in such manner as to put it in a withdrawn position(FIGURE 6) allowing the line to unwind about the ystationary spool 8.When pressure on the button 17 is released the rod 16 automaticallyreturns to the line-winding up position (FIG- URE l) under the thrust ofthe springs 23 and 27. To facilitate the return of the rod 16 into thewinding-up position, the return pivoting movement of the lever 29 issupplemented by a spring consisting `of a wire or the like which ismounted about the pivot 161 and is secured at one end t0 the drum 11-4,so that its other end acts against the lever 29. A stop means limitingthe forward pivoting of the lever 29 may also be provided on the drum14. It should be emphasised -that when a pivoting action is exerted onthe rod 16 so as to free the line, the drum k14 is not driven inrotation.

The assembly is appropriately dimensioned, notably with regard to thetravel yoftheplate 24 and the eccentricity of the llink at 282 relativeto the pivot 161, so as to ensure the necessary angular pivoting of thewindingup rod 16, :as illustrated.

'The crank mechanism which sirnu-ltaneously produces, on the one handthe rotation of the shaft 6 and of the drum 14 with the rod 16 and, lonthe other hand, the reciprocal displacement of the spindle 7 and of thespool 8, is mounted at the rearward end of the handle in the casing 3.This mechanism is of known type.

Mounted and keyed on the rearward end ofthe shaft y6 is a bevel gear 30which meshes with a bevelled toothed wheel 31. The axis of the wheel 31is disposed at right angles to the shaft `6 on a shaft 32 rotatablymounted in a cover 33 closing the casing 3. Externally, a crank 34 `issecured to the shaft 32. The casing 3 has :a lateral boss 32 housing thebevel gear 30 and the rear end of Vthe spindle 7. The latter isprolonged into the casing beyond the shaft 6 and its end is notched soas to exhibit a ilat upon which is secured a member 35 formed with adiametral groove y351 which is disposed at right angles to the spindle7.

The wheel 31 has a pin 3111 the position of which is eccentricrelatively to the axis of the said wheel. The said pin 311 is engagedein 'the groove 351 which enables the wheel 31 and the shaft `6 torotate displacing the spindle 7 laterally of the said shaft 6 in areciprocal movement.

Provision is made for the unidirectional entrainment, at will, of theshaft 6 by means of the crank 34 or, on the contrary, for entrainment inboth directions of rotation. This is -achieved in known manner by theprovisionof a pawl 36 adapted to be disengaged against the thrust of aspring, with the aid of a small external lever 37. vThe pawl is adaptedto co-operate with a ratchet 38 secured to the toothed wheel 31.

There is also a protective and decorative cap `39, shown for example inbroken -lines (FIGURE 1) and secured on t-he ferrule 4 in such manner asto t wit-h suitable play about Ythe rotation drum 14 n a 'way which willprotect the mechanism controlling the freeing of the line.

A second embodiment of the present invention is illust-rated in FIGURES7 to 10 and comprises a tubular ellement or handle 40, each end of whichhas disposed therein a bearing. The forward end ofthe handle 40 isprovided with a lbearing element 41 secured in a known manner andprolonged in the form of a wide protective cap 411 which covers andprotects the control mechanism described hereinbelow. The rearward endof the handle 40 is provided with a .bearing element 421 and a casing 42in which is mounted means for winding the line by a crank 43. A cover 56closes the casing 42.

The entrainment mechanism is similar to the one hereinbefore describedand is adapted to move a spindle 46 reciprocally of the shaft 54 in thesame manner as the spindle 7 isV moved by the entrainment mechanism ofthe hrst embodiment. To this end the spindle 46 has secured thereto amember having a groove 461 which is disposed at right angles to thespindle 7. A stud 441 formed on a bevel gear-wheel 44 is slidablymounted within the said groove 461. 'Ihe bevel gear-wheel 44 cooperateswith a bevel gear 45 both of Iwhich are formed with teeth Iand the wheel44 is connected to''a crank 43 through the intermediary of aninterconnecting shaft. The forward end of the spindle 46 hasfrictionally secured thereabout a line-carrying spool 47 by means of athreaded element 49 which bears against the said spool 47 through theintermediary of a spring washer friction device 48 and a disc 50, urging-the spool 47 against a toothed wheel 52 secured to the spindle 46. Awasher 51 secured to the spool 47 retains the disc 50 and `the spring 48in their seating in the spool 47. A clic system or other audible meansfor indicating that the force between the spool and the spindle has beenovercome consists of the toothed wheel 52 which co-operates with a rodor resilient blade 53 disposed laterally of the spool 47 The crank 43,the wheel 44 and the bevel gear 45 are adapted to drive a hollow shaft54, one end of which is secured by screws or the like to a bearingelement 451 which is integral with the bevel gear 45. A sleeve 55 isdisposed between the bearing elements 42 to provide in conventionalfashion a bearing surface between the elements 42 and 45. The bearingelement 421 and the sleeve 55 have holes formed therein allowing for thepositioning of the screws securing the bearing element 451 to the shaft54.

The forward end of shaft 54 is adapted to rotate within the bearing 41.A drum 57 is rigidly secured to and is adapted to rotate therewith. Oneend of a pick-up rod or basket handle 58 is secured to the drum 57 bymeans of a screw 571, the other end of which is secured to a controllever 59 by means of an eyelet 591, the control lever 59 being pivotallymounted on the drum 57 and 572. The screws 571 and 572 are disposed oneither side of the drum 57 in diametrically opposite manner.

The pick-up rod is of semi-circular shape and is formed near that endwhich is secured to the eyelet 591 with a tapered groove over which theline is adapted to run.

A mounting 61 is provided on the casing of the handle 40 and is securedthereto by means of screws or 4the like. This mounting 61 retains apush-button 60 in such a manner that it is capable of being depressed ina direction perpendicular to the general axis of the handle. The outerend of the push-button 60 may be provided with a broad headed screw 601which facilitates manipulation of the push-button 60. Secured to, orintegral with, the mounting 61 is a projection 611 having a hole formedtherein through which passes a pivot pin. About this pivot pin a bellcrank lever 62 is turnably mounted. One arm, being the shorter arm, ofthe lever 62 is in abutting engagement with the lower part of thepush-button `60 and the other, longer arm, is deformed to allow freemovement of the shaft 54. The free end of this longer arm of the lever62 contacts a ring 63 having secured thereto rods 64. The rods `64 areslidably mounted in the bearing element 41, and the ends of the rodsproject beyond the bearing 41 and are being secured to a thrust disc 65.A spring 70 is disposed between the bearing element 41 and the ring 63to urge the ring 63 against the longer arm of the lever 62 so that theshorter arm of the lever 62 is always in contact with the push-button60. The lever 62 is formed so that the push-button 60 need only travel ashort distance to produce movement of the ring 63 in .a directionaxially of the shaft 54. The said axial movement of the ring 63 isthrough a distance which is relatively longer than the distance throughwhich the push-button 6D moves.

Secured to, or integral with the drum 57 are sectorshaped portions 571extending rearwardly therefrom which form slideways 573 (see FIGURE 9).These channels or slideways serve as guides for a contact plate in theform of a circular dished member 66 which is disposed in close proximityto the thrust disc 65. The dishedmember 66 has disposed on either sideof it in diametrically opposite relationship screws which form pivots661. The pivots 661 are adapted to move freely by mounting them onrollers 67, which are adapted to roll in the slideways 573. The rollers67 in the slideways 573 constitute a roller means for the member 66 andenable the latter to slide axially of the tubular handle. A link arm 68connected to the dished-member 66 by means of a freely articulatedmounting on one of the pivots 661 is pivotally connected to the Vlever59 by means of a freely articulated connection 592. Hence any axialmovement of the dishedmember 66 will cause corresponding lateralmovement to the eyelet 591 relatively to the shaft 54.

A spring 69 is mounted about the shaft 54 between the drum 57 and thedished member 66. This spring 69 urges the dished-member 66 towards thethrust disc 65. It therefore will be seen that the lever 59 and thebasket handle 58 will be held in the line winding-up position. Whenoperating the control means for the pick-up rod 58 by depressing thepush-button 60 the lever 62 will be pivoted in a clockwise directionthereby displacing the ring 63 against the action of the spring 70. Thiswill produce an axial displacement of the thrust disc 65 causing it tocontact the dished-member 6'6 thrusting it axially of the shaft 54against the action of the spring 69 causing the link arm 68 to pivot thecam lever 59 about the screw 572 -to move the pick-up rod 58 through anarc into the free line position whereupon the line may unwind about theforwardly disposed shoulder of the spool 47. A reverse movement of thecontrol means takes place when the push-button 60 is released so thatthe pick-up rod 58 will return to the line Winding position, whereuponthe line is only unwound from the spool 47 when the pull on the line isof sucient magnitude to overcome the resistance of the frictional meanssecuring the spool 47 to the spindle 46.

.A radial extension of the drum 57 in the form of a collar 575 isprovided rearwardly of said drum in such a way that its periphery liesin close proximity to the cap 411 of the bearing 41. The collar 5754thus closes the aperture formed by the cap 411 and encloses themechanism ltherein. The collar 575 is however open for the passage ofthe link 68 and the lever 59.

The cap 411 may be made integral with or secured to the bearing 41 andmay be formed with, or have secured thereto a bearing element 412adapted to receive the stem of a casting rod.

What I claim is:

1. A handle and reel combination comprising a -tubular handle, a hollowshaft rotatably supported in said handle, a spindle supporte-d withinsaid hollow shaft for movement axially of the shaft, a drum coupled tosaid shaft for rotating therewith, a winding-up rod supported on saiddrum and pivotable relative to said drum, a spool, means frictionallyconnecting the spool to said spindle for axial movement therewith, acrank mechanism for rotating said shaft and reciprocating the saidspindle, and Control means in said handle for pivotably moving thewinding-up rod between operative and free-line positions, said crankmechanism being adapted for rotatably driving the shaft, drum andwinding-up rod while reciprocating said spindle to cause winding of lineon said spool with said winding-up rod in the operative position, saidcontrol means pivotably moving the winding-up rod to a freeline positionwhereat line can be unwound from said spool without contacting saidwinding-up rod, said control means comprising a push button, a bellcrank lever in contact with said button and movable thereby, a ringengaged by said bell crank lever and movable thereby, slidable rodssecured to said ring, a thrust disc, a spring between the thrust discand ring 'biassing the latter rearwardly away from said drum, a contactplate adjacent said thrust disc, said thrust disc being secured to saidrods for being displaced therewith to engage said contact plate withsaid button pressed and displace -the same, and means pivotallysupported from said contact plate and coupled to the winding-up rod formoving the winding-up rod between the operative and free-line positions.

2. A handle and reel combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein themeans for moving -the winding-up rod comprises a link pivotallyconnected to the contact plate and a lever secured to the winding-uprod, said link being pivotally connected to said lever.

3. A handle and reel combination as claimed in claim coupledtotheleven3,032,290 Wallace May 1, 1962

1. A HANDLE AND REEL COMBINATION COMPRISING A TUBULAR HANDLE, A HOLLOWSHAFT ROTATABLY SUPPORTED IN SAID HANDLE, A SPINDLE SUPPORTED WITHINSAID HOLLOW SHAFT FOR MOVEMENT AXIALLY OF THE SHAFT, A DRUM COUPLED TOSAID SHAFT FOR ROTATING THEREWITH, A WINDING-UP ROD SUPPORTED ON SAIDDRUM AND PIVOTABLE RELATIVE TO SAID DRUM, A SPOOL, MEANS FRICTIONALLYCONNECTING THE SPOOL TO SAID SPINDLE FOR AXIAL MOVEMENT THEREWITH, ACRANK MECHANISM FOR ROTATING SAID SHAFT AND RECIPROCATING THE SAIDSPINDLE, AND CONTROL MEANS IN SAID HANDLE FOR PIVOTABLY MOVING THEWINDING-UP ROD BETWEEN OPERATIVE AND FREE-LINE POSITIONS, SAID CRANKMECHANISM BEING ADAPTED FOR ROTATABLY DRIVING THE SHAFT, DRUM ANDWINDING-UP ROD WHILE RECIPROCATING SAID SPINDLE TO CAUSE WINDING OF LINEON SAID SPOOL WITH SAID WINDING-UP ROD IN THE OPERATIVE POSITION, SAIDCONTROL MEANS PIVOTABLY MOVING THE WINDING-UP ROD TO A FREELINE POSITIONWHEREAT LINE CAN BE UNWOUND FROM SAID SPOOL WITHOUT CONTACTING SAIDWINDING-UP ROD, SAID CONTROL MEANS COMPRISING A PUSH BUTTON, A BELLCRANK LEVER IN CONTACT WITH SAID BUTTON AND MOVABLE THEREBY, A RINGENGAGED BY SAID BELL CRANK LEVER AND MOVABLE THEREBY, SLIDABLE RODSSECURED TO SAID RING, A THRUST DISC, A SPRING BETWEEN THE THRUST DISCAND RING BIASSING THE LATTER REARWARDLY AWAY FROM SAID DRUM, A CONTACTPLATE ADJACENT SAID THRUST DISC, SAID THRUST DISC BEING SECURED TO SAIDRODS FOR BEING DISPLACED THEREWITH TO ENGAGE SAID CONTACT PLATE WITHSAID BUTTON PRESSED AND DISPLACE THE SAME, AND MEANS PIVOTALLY SUPPORTEDFROM SAID CONTACT PLATE AND COUPLED TO THE WINDING-UP ROD FOR MOVING THEWINDING-UP ROD BETWEEN THE OPERATIVE AND FREE-LINE POSITIONS.